"The Fourth Prince has gone out with the Emperor, so Consort Niu is now free. I wonder if the Fourth Prince knows that his Consort Niu is pregnant and still running around everywhere?" the Eighth Prince's wife said sarcastically.
Lanqin looked at the Eighth Prince's wife. She actually had some goodwill towards her for supporting the Eighth Prince, but at this moment she suddenly realized that this woman would never lower her head like the Ninth Prince's wife, who held the noble position of the primary wife. Moreover, the Eighth Prince and the Fourth Prince were practically irreconcilable enemies, so naturally, she disliked Lanqin, who was now fifty.
"Our Fourth Master never restricts me, and I don't need to inform him before I can leave. Ninth Princess Consort, I'll take my leave." Lanqin didn't want to continue entangled with the Eighth Princess Consort. She really wasn't sure how to change the fate of the Eighth Master and his wife.
After watching Lanqin and her servant leave, the Eighth Prince's wife said to the Ninth Prince's wife, "How could you, the principal wife, be chatting and laughing with a concubine? If anyone saw this, it would be a disgrace to the principal wife of a prince!"
The Eighth Prince's wife could no longer hold back. She always considered herself the sister-in-law of the Ninth Prince's wife, and the Ninth Prince always relied on the Eighth Prince's lead. Therefore, she also treated Dong Eshi with an imperious attitude.
Lady Dong'e could no longer bear it. She looked at the Eighth Prince's wife as if she were a dead person, cold and indifferent. This was because she possessed all the memories of her previous life. When the Ninth Prince was poisoned, the entire Ninth Prince's household was implicated. At that time, she hated him so much, hated the Ninth Prince so much, hated the Eighth Prince so much. If they hadn't been so reckless in their quest for the position, she and her daughter could have enjoyed a lifetime of wealth and luxury.
When the Eighth Prince's wife saw the Ninth Prince's wife's sharp gaze, she immediately lost her composure and was even somewhat frightened by it.
"Eighth Sister-in-law, don't act so superior. I'm not inferior to you either. We're both primary wives, so I have no need to depend on you," Ninth Princess said coldly. In truth, she was also referring to Ninth Prince. Ninth Prince had no need to rely on Eighth Prince; his own birth was nobler, and he had no interest in that position. Why should he get involved in this mess?
"You, I'm doing this for your own good. How can you be so ungrateful!" The Eighth Prince's wife quickly suppressed her fear and forced herself to speak calmly.
"Thank you for your concern, Eighth Sister-in-law. Jinyu is not feeling well, please excuse me!" After giving a few cold laughs, Dong Eshi helped Chunling walk away without even greeting the Eighth Prince's wife.
The Eighth Prince's wife stared angrily at Dong E's retreating figure, speechless for a moment. It was only when a maidservant beside her reminded her that it was time to go find the Eighth Prince and the others that she snapped out of her daze.
Now, Lanqin, supporting Cui Niang's hand, had no more interest in strolling around Tantuo Temple and headed straight for the temple gate.
"Consort Niu!" The Eighth Prince's gentle voice rang out again in front of Lanqin.
Damn it, how come I have to run into so many people just to visit a temple! Lanqin mentally gave him the middle finger before looking up at the Eighth Prince. He was dressed in a light gray casual robe; without his princely status, he looked like a refined and wealthy young master. His naturally handsome appearance made it hard not to take a second look.
"This humble servant greets Eighth Master!" Lanqin walked over gracefully and greeted Eighth Master.
"Fourth Brother has gone out to accompany the Emperor, and Consort Niu is all alone. Why don't you come with us?" Eighth Prince said. "Me, Ninth Brother, Eighth Prince's wife, and Ninth Prince's wife."
"No, I've been out for quite some time and I'm a bit tired now. I should go back early." Lanqin thought to herself, "I just ran into your wife."
“It’s almost noon now, why don’t we go have a vegetarian meal together? The vegetarian food here is quite good. If Consort goes back like this, my nephew will probably go hungry,” the Eighth Prince joked.
To be honest, Lanqin didn't really dislike the Eighth Prince. He was always so gentle and refined, with a touch of humor. But what she had just witnessed with the Eighth Prince's wife made her reluctant to go. Actually, having a meal with the Eighth and Ninth Princes wouldn't be so bad.
"Eighth Brother!" Ninth Master finally appeared. Lanqin knew that wherever Eighth Master was, Ninth Master should be nearby.
"This humble servant greets Ninth Master!" Lanqin bowed to Ninth Master again.
"My pheasant disappeared in the blink of an eye, how come I ran into you?" Ninth Master said.
"I'm about to take my leave, so I won't disturb you two any longer." Lanqin felt that today was not a good day to go out, and she had to hurry back.
"I heard you're pregnant with twins, but I can't tell at all!" Ninth Master said, glancing at Lanqin's belly with a hint of teasing.
"How can it be apparent in just three months!" Eighth Master said on behalf of Lanqin.
Lanqin was so embarrassed that these two gentlemen were talking about her belly! Her ears even turned a little red.
"Isn't Consort Niu always fond of tasting delicious food? The vegetarian food at Tan Tuo Temple is exceptional. Does Consort Niu not want to try it?" Ninth Prince raised an eyebrow.
Damn it, if it weren't for Ninth Prince's sake, I really wouldn't want to bother with you! Lanqin silently muttered to herself, but what Ninth Prince said was right. In fact, half of the reason Lanqin came to Tanzhe Temple today was to taste the vegetarian food there.
"Ninth Prince is absolutely right! For a foodie to leave before even eating is such a waste of their dignity." Lanqin decided to stay. It was just a few sarcastic remarks from the Eighth Prince's wife; she couldn't let them spoil her enjoyment of the meal!
A moment later, Ninth Prince's wife and Eighth Prince's wife arrived one after another. Seeing Lanqin standing beside Eighth Prince and Ninth Prince, the two women each harbored their own unusual thoughts.
"Weiyi, it's rare to meet Fourth Prince's concubine, let's have a vegetarian meal together!" Eighth Prince said to Eighth Princess.
The Eighth Prince Consort changed her sharp and sarcastic tone and smiled slightly at Lanqin: "We also want to share in the joy of Consort Niu!"
Seeing how quickly the Eighth Princess Consort's face changed in public and private, Lanqin sneered inwardly, "I've heard that the Guanyin Bodhisattva at Tantuo Temple is the most efficacious. Why don't you offer more incense here, Eighth Princess Consort? You're guaranteed to have a pair of big, healthy boys next year!"
The Eighth Prince's wife's face twitched; this was a veiled insult implying that she was childless! How dare a mere concubine be so presumptuous!
In fact, Lanqin didn't mean to be sarcastic; she was just going along with what was being said! But the Eighth Prince's wife had a lot of prejudice against Lanqin, so naturally, she didn't like what she heard!
The Ninth Prince's wife, however, felt no discomfort whatsoever. She truly hoped that, thanks to Lanqin's auspicious words, she could give birth to a legitimate son for the Ninth Prince.
"Come, let me share in the joy!" Dong Eshi walked to Lanqin's side and reached out to touch her belly.
Seeing their intimate behavior, the Eighth Prince's wife felt as if a thorn had been pierced in her eye!
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